“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
Matthew 24:8 (NASB)
When will Christ return? This question has been pondered much through the generations. The imminence of His coming provides the backdrop for everything the Christian does. Christ has not revealed exactly when He will come, but He has told us signs to watch for. The time of His coming is unclear; the fact of His coming is certain.
Jesus said that certain events would signal the nearness of His coming: There will be wars and rumors of wars; there will be famines and earthquakes; Christians will suffer persecution for the sake of Christ; false prophets will come and teach heresy, leading many astray; lawlessness will abound as people do what is right in their own eyes; the authorities will be unable to control crime. Because of lawlessness, people will become cynical and fearful, and their love for others will grow cold (Matt. 24:6–12).
Jesus said that the signs of the end times will be like birth pangs. The pain of childbirth increases in frequency, and it increases in intensity. Jesus said that the presence of war or famine or false teachers does not mean that His coming is upon us. These things, He said, are merely the beginning. He said that the frequency of wars, earthquakes, and crime will increase until finally Christ's return brings everything to a finish. The intensity of wars and famines and other human crises will also escalate.
Our day has seen everything Jesus spoke of reach unprecedented proportions. If there were ever a time Christians should be alert to Jesus’ coming, it is today.
- Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
In that Blackaby speaks of the return of Christ, it seems fitting to include what we see being believed upon in this world.
Whereas God is mocked and seen with disdain, science, science fiction and the like are pretty much touted as religion to be unquestionably believed.
You can find people who have created religions based on spaghetti. Based on Satan himself. Based on even science fiction shows such as Star Trek. Satan will endorse ANY religion other than that of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Science is what politicians say will save mankind. Science has the answers to this so-called pandemic. This is no more a pandemic than H1N1 was years ago. It just that now this virus is politically motivated to be one.
The aim isn't necessarily what you see it to be. Look back to last year and you will see unprecedented attacks on Christians in the United States. Multimillion dollar lawsuits to shut down businesses that espoused Christian principles. It's no secret that politicians have a love-hate relationship with voters who are Christians. They want their votes yet do not or are afraid to publicly endorse their stand for God.
Wars and rumors of wars. Famines and earthquakes in various places. Economic collapses. Really, if you look at all into your Bible you will find that God had written about all this coming.
This world isn't on track to becoming a man made utopia. We aren't going to rise up from the rubble of a collapsed society to build a society that thrives simply by the will of political powers.
Read 2nd Peter. Look at the false prophets and false teachers within the professing Church. Look at how this so-called pandemic has been tendered to shut down the activity of the Church. The Church that doesn't condone sexual misconduct, that doesn't permit same-sex marriage. The Church that doesn't condone homosexuality in any form. They are what this is meant to be attacked in the here and now.
Oh, my friend, my dear reader, God is not going to allow this to stop His people. No political party can stop the prayers of God's people.
We indeed are seeing things only once read about in the Bible. The reforming of the nation of Israel. The restoration of Jerusalem as her capital. The unexplained drawing of Jews back to Israel to populate it again. They don't have any explanation other than a need to return home. We are seeing an increase in earthquakes and famines. We are seeing everything that Jesus said to look for.
Yet millions and millions of people refuse to believe it's happening and do not take living for Jesus seriously. They will believe the nightly news or news throughout the day but will not stop to read their Bible. Those in the news world are bold enough to angrily state its their job to tell you what to think and you let them! You let them!
You who claim to be Christians, are you looking for His appearing?
You who claim to be Christians, are you at all reading the truth of our times in the Bible?
Are you at all approaching the Throne of God in prayer as often as you breathe?
I woke up this morning to a line from a song. "Fear...he is a liar". Yes fear is a liar. It goads you into rash decisions. So does anger. We live in a world where those in power do not want people to stop and think. They play on the reaction.
My friend, stop reacting, start praying.
Stop listening to the so-called news. Realize we live in the midst of Spiritual battles. Satan doesn't want to lose anyone to Jesus Christ. Jesus refuses to lose anyone whom He knows will receive Him as their Savior. Satan will use everything in this world to try to shut up and shut down the people of God.
Look at how you have been reacting to today's world. Are you reacting as a Christian or as someone who has no hope?
My hope is in Jesus Christ. My life is in His hands. No, I don't know the day nor the hour of His return. Read your Bible, He says to be ready for it. Be found by Him DOING the will of God. Be found by Christ to be IN the fields working as you have been called to do. When we came to Christ, life really ceased being about us. It became a journey towards becoming more like Christ. Less of us, more of Jesus in us. We are His workmanship.
Are you living for Jesus? A life that is true, striving to please Him in all that you do?
Words from a song, a hymn, that should be on your heart and mind this hour.
I am waiting for the shout to take us out!
No comments:
Post a Comment